West must unite against Islamic extremism: Your Say

Letter to the editor:

Our heartfelt condolences go to the French people, and all the victims who were caught in the carnage of the terrorist attacks Friday. No words can alleviate the suffering and the pain the grieving families will now go through.

Unfortunately, safety has now become only a perception, and no matter where you are, you may not be immune to the cold-blooded acts of terrorism. While normal life cannot be put on hold by these heinous acts, the peace-loving world now has to stand not just “united” as a cliché, but united unconditionally against a common enemy who could be in any garb and at any place, anytime.

A big weakness that terrorist organizations have capitalized on is the world’s continuing failure to stand united in a true sense, as epitomized by this classic phrase: “United we stand, divided we fall.” The ruthless terrorist outfit of the Islamic State is no exception to target this soft spot.

Unless the world looks at global terrorism through the same lens and targets the many-headed Hydra of terrorism with a Herculean resolve and action, the world’s vulnerability to the forces of terrorism is bound to increase.

Atul M. Karnik; Woodside, N.Y.

POLICING THE USA: A look at race, justice, media

Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

There can be no negotiating. I don’t even think we should take prisoners. The men of the Islamic State, also known as ISIL, are true believers and won’t stop until they are dead.

Our way of life teaches us reason and understanding; theirs teaches insane rage.

— David Cervantes

We still refuse to look ourselves in the mirror and face the reality that we have created this Frankenstein with our own blood-soaked hands.

Don’t believe me? Take a hard look at the number of children and adults we have killed over the past few short years. The monster that everyone is talking about includes us.

Our own crimes are disgusting enough, and the more we bomb people, the more radicals we will produce. We have no right to talk about how civilized we are.

— Deryk Houston

It is absurd that some people say the United States is responsible for ISIL. Terrorism has been around forever.

The Paris attacks are simply more in a long line of violence by fanatics who wish ill to others who have more or are different.

And as much as you may disagree or not like it, the only way to stop them is to kill them and destroy their ability to wage terrorism. Stop trying to assign blame, stop being an apologist for murderers and start trying to defeat those who would kill you and your loved ones.

— Jeff Lowry

This war likely cannot be won because the enemy’s “soldiers” are scattered all over the world, not simply concentrated within a nation’s borders as in the past.

— Matthew Lamb

This is a war that will require pragmatism. We have to realize how this situation grew from the Iraq invasion and have an objective, rational goal. The fight will require an honest evaluation of our expectations.

Also, we will need to build an alliance that may not be completely in line with our economic and political ideologies.

— David Dougherty

Until the USA and its allies take decisive military action, we should continue to expect more terrorist acts.

— Chris McCarty